The Minton Papers #JB
Criticism of the Charlemagne Award for U.S. President Clinton

Over Scientology:
Criticism of the Charlemagne Award for U.S. President Clinton

Hamm, Germany
June 1, 2000
neue bildpost, Nr. 23, pg. 1

by Bernd Evers

Contention over the presentation of the Aachen
Charlemagne Award: this year the valued distinction will go
to the President of the United States, Bill Clinton.

"It's OK to have a different opinion in regards to Clinton's
political accomplishments or his personal conduct," said
Reverend Thomas Gandow, Sect Commissioner of the
Evangelical Church for Berlin-Brandenburg.

As concerns his attitude towards Scientology, however,
there is no doubt: "Never before has a government done so
much lobbying for Scientology," stressed Gandow.

It is not just that the organization received tax exemption in
the first year of Clinton's term; Clinton's State Department
continually blames Germany and other European states for
dealing with Scientology in a critical manner. As a reaction
to the presentation of the Charlemagne Award, the
European-American Citizens Committee for Human Rights
and Religious Freedom will be giving out an Alternative
Charlemagne Award: banker Robert Minton, who supports
Scientology victims in legal proceedings against the
organization, will receive it.